Mountable organizer having frictionally engaging receptacles

ABSTRACT

An organizer has a planar back panel, a front panel, a core between the back panel and the front panel comprised of a resilient foam material, and at least one receptacle defined by an opening in the front panel aligned with a channel in the core extending from the opening in the front panel toward the back panel. The channel has a smaller cross-sectional area than a cross-sectional area of the opening such that a device having a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the channel will form a friction fit with an interior wall of the channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/743,655 filed on Oct. 10, 2018, the contents of which areincorporated in their entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

THE NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF THE MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cosmetics organizer that frictionallyengages the devices retained with in it. More particularly, theinvention relates to a cosmetics organizer having a plurality ofreceptacles formed by channels through a resilient foam material thatform a friction fit with devices inserted therein.

Description of the Related Art

A hairstylist, cosmetologists, beauticians and ordinary women and menoften use many different cosmetic devices, compounds and applicatorswhen applying makeup. It is not uncommon for persons to have severaldozen different cosmetics devices. Ordinary women commonly have severaldifferent shades and styles of lipstick, not to mention base, blush, eyeshadow, mascara as well as several brushes, sponges and the like forapplying various types of makeup. It is not unusual for a person to haveseveral dozen different items used for cosmetic reasons.

As a result, it has become common for both professionals and ordinarypeople to attempt to organize various cosmetic products and efficientmanners. Existing devices often provide several different compartmentsof different sizes, shapes and numbers that may be inserted into drawersor purses. Complete portable folding cabinet type devices are alsocommon. There have even been furniture pieces particularly designed tohave many small drawers that are often further subdivided.

The prior art organizing devices suffer from many drawbacks. Cosmeticsmay be stored in drawers, but this does not particularly organize them.Large folding cabinets may be cumbersome and are prone to beingdisorganized. With several different storage compartments, it alsobecomes easy to forget where different specific items are located. Aperson often has to rifle through an entire cabinet drawer or set ofdrawers to find a particular item. These shortcomings are onlyexacerbated when used on a more mobile platform. For example, in amobile home, in an automobile or on a boat, storage devices as well aseverything else is often subjected to sudden swaying or jerking motionsthat can knock loose or disorganize many things.

The above-described deficiencies of today's systems are merely intendedto provide an overview of some of the problems of conventional systems,and are not intended to be exhaustive. Other problems with the state ofthe art and corresponding benefits of some of the various non-limitingembodiments may become further apparent upon review of the followingdetailed description.

In view of the foregoing, it is desirable to provide an apparatus orsystem for organizing cosmetics or other items in a manner that makesthem readily accessible but also prevents them from being easilydislodged and disorganized.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is a cosmetics organizer that securely holds one or morecosmetics devices so that they are easily accessible and readilyavailable. The cosmetics organizer also secures cosmetic devices andreceptacles such that they are not easily dislodged.

In one embodiment, a cosmetics organizer has a planar back panel, afront panel, a core between the back panel and the front panel comprisedof a resilient foam material, and at least one receptacle defined by anopening in the front panel aligned with a channel in the core extendingfrom the opening in the front panel toward the back panel. The channelhas a smaller cross-sectional area than a cross-sectional area of theopening such that a device having a cross-sectional area larger than thecross-sectional area of the channel will form a friction fit with aninterior wall of the channel.

The cosmetic organizer may include a channel in the core that extendsfrom the front panel to a backwall defined by the back panel. The frontpanel is curved or planar. At least one backwall may include a mountinghole extending through the back panel.

The cosmetic organizer can be mounted on a wall, on a ceiling or affixedto a portable object. A peripheral wall may extend from the front panelto the back panel around a periphery of the organizer. The organizer mayhave the shape of a heart.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide acosmetics organizer that securely holds a plurality of devices so thatthey are readily accessible but will not become dislodged from theirreceptacles.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from a reading of the attached specification andappended claims. There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the moreimportant features of the invention in order that the detaileddescription thereof that follows may be better understood, and in orderthat the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.There are features of the invention that will be described hereinafterand which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention, and theattendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readilyunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cosmetics organizer in accordance withthe principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of a cosmetics organizer inaccordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a cosmetics organizer in accordancewith principles of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cosmetics organizer in accordance withprinciples of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a cosmetics organizer and anupside-down orientation in accordance with principles of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cosmetics organizer affixed to a wallin accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of acosmetics organizer in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of acosmetics organizer in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of acosmetics organizer in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of acosmetics organizer in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of acosmetics organizer in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of acosmetics organizer in accordance with the principles of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in thefollowing description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention iscapable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out invarious ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology employed herein are for the purpose of description andshould not be regarded as limiting.

The disclosed subject matter is described with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to likeelements throughout. In the following description, for purposes ofexplanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the various embodiments of the subjectdisclosure. It may be evident, however, that the disclosed subjectmatter may be practiced without these specific details. In otherinstances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagramform in order to facilitate describing the various embodiments herein.

In addition, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” ratherthan an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clearfrom context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the naturalinclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or Xemploys both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any ofthe foregoing instances. Moreover, articles “a” and “an” as used in thesubject specification and annexed drawings should generally be construedto mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from contextto be directed to a singular form.

Disclosed is an organizer for storing multiple items that are easilyremoved by hand but are held firmly enough to prevent the items fromfalling out. The device includes a foam core sandwiched between a frontpanel and a back panel. Each of a plurality of receptacles are definedby an opening in the front panel aligned with a channel through theresilient foam core. The channel through the foam core has a smallerdiameter or cross-sectional area than its respective opening. When acosmetic device such as a lipstick is inserted into a receptacle, itforms a friction fit with the sides of the channel through the foamcore. The friction fit holds the cosmetic device regardless of how thecosmetics organizer is oriented relative to the direction of gravity.Thus, the cosmetics organizer frictionally engages devices inserted intoits receptacles using the interior walls of the channels formed throughthe resilient foam core.

FIGS. 1-6 show a cosmetic organizer 10 in accordance with the principlesof the invention. In these figures, the invention is described withreference to a cosmetic organizer 10. This is for exemplary purposesonly. Organizers in accordance with the principles of the invention arewell-suited for organizing cosmetics such as lipsticks. However, it willbe apparent to a skilled artisan that the invention may be utilized toorganize and retain a nimiety of articles beyond cosmetics. Theinvention may be used to organize tools, kitchen utensils, officesupplies such as pens and highlighters, medicine, electronic devices andthe like.

The organizer 10 has a front defined by a front panel 12 and a backdefined by a back panel 14. A core 16 is sandwiched between the frontpanel 12 and the back panel 14. The front panel 12 and back panel 14 arepreferably formed from a rigid material such as wood, plastic, metal orthe like, and may optionally be laminated, coated or otherwise treatedto provide a desired surface appearance and/or texture. The core 16 isformed from a resilient foam material. Other resilient materials wouldalso be suitable. The organizer 10 has a periphery 18 that mayoptionally be covered by a peripheral wall, not shown. The front panel12, back panel 14 and core 16 are coextensive such that they are allflush along the periphery 18. In this embodiments, the cosmeticorganizer 10 is in the shape of a heart. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that a cosmetic organizer 10 may be formed in any of avariety of shapes.

The organizer 10 includes receptacles 20. Best seen in FIG. 3,receptacles 20 are defined by an opening 22 in the front panel 12 and achannel 24 extending through the opening 22, through at least a portionof the core 16 and terminating at a back wall 26 defined by the backpanel 14. Optionally, the organizer 10 may also include one or morereceptacles 21. Receptacle 21 is defined by an opening 22 in the frontpanel 12 and a channel 25 extending into the core 16 and terminating ata back wall 27 formed in the material of the core 16 and not extendingto the backwall 26. Receptacle 21 has a channel 25 that does not extendentirely through the core 16. Optionally, receptacles in the sameorganizer may have channels extending different lengths into the core.The organizer 10 may include one or more mounting holes 32 located inthe back wall 26 of a receptacle 20 that extends all the way through thecore 16. Nails, screws, anchors or other devices may be used to affixthe organizer 10 to a wall, ceiling or other surface by using thesemounting holes 32. Other mechanisms for mounting an object to a surfaceare well known in the art. FIG. 4 shows to such mounting holes 32extending through the back panel 14. Preferably two or more mountingholes 32 are included.

In this embodiment, each opening 22 is circular and each channel 24 iscylindrical. Thus, the receptacles 20 are cylindrical, and some containlipstick containers 30. The receptacles 20 may optionally have a square,rectangular, oval, trapezoidal, a hexagonal or other cross-sectionalshape shapes to accommodate different cosmetic items. For example,eyeshadow is often retained within a rectangular container. Thus, areceptacle having a rectangular cross-section may be more suitable forstoring and organizing eyeshadow.

The openings 22 have a larger diameter, and thus larger cross-sectionalarea, than the channels 24 or 25 through the core 16. The core 16 isformed from a resilient foam material. A lipstick container 30 sized tofit through the opening 22 will compress the interior wall 28 of thechannel 24 or 25, forming a friction fit that holds the lipstick tubesecurely in place. The static friction force between the interior wall28 and a device inserted into the receptacle 20 or 21 is greater thanthe force of gravity but is still low enough to allow a person to easilywithdraw the device from the receptacle 20.

Because the organizer 10 of the present invention secures devices withinits receptacles 20 strongly enough to prevent them falling out due togravity, as shown in FIG. 5. The organizer 10 may be mounted on a wall34 as shown in FIG. 6. Optionally, the organizer may be mounted upsidedown on a ceiling or similar surface in the orientation shown in FIG. 5.The organizer 10 is also particularly suitable for use in buildingswhere earthquakes are common, on boats, in mobile homes, on airplanes orin other environments subjected to disruptive forces. Because of thedevices relatively simple design, it may be produced quickly andefficiently. The front panel 12, back panel 14 and core 16 may all becut from their respective materials and sandwiched together using asimple adhesive. The openings 22 and channels 24 may be cuts before orafter the front panel 12 and core 16 have been attached to each other.In addition, it is relatively easy, inexpensive and efficient to form anorganizer in accordance with the principles of the invention in avariety of shapes. The cosmetic organizer 10 of the present invention asshown in the Figures has a heart shape. However, any other desired shapemay readily be formed from the same materials.

The organizer 10 of the present invention includes a planar, flat frontpanel 12 and a core 16 having a uniform thickness. While it is generallydesirable to have a back panel 14 that is flat and planar, the frontpanel may be curved and the core 16 may be shaped to accommodate acurved front panel such that the organizer 10 has a distance between thefront panel 12 and the back panel 14 that varies. Optionally, channelsmay be formed in the core that extend inward from the periphery insteadof from the openings in the front panel. This allows devices to besecured by a friction fit along the periphery of the device instead ofonly on the front. If a peripheral wall is included, wrapped around theperiphery, openings aligned with the peripheral channels may be providedalso.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of an organizer 40 having a frontpanel 42, a back panel 44 and a resilient foam core 46 sandwichedtherebetween. In this embodiment, the front panel 42 includes severalopenings of different shapes. These include the large circular openings48, elongate oval openings 50 small circular openings 52 and othercircular openings 54 of varying size. To form the organizer 40, a frontpanel 42, a back panel 44 and a foam core 46 are cut to equal,coextensive dimensions. These components are then attached by means ofan adhesive. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, tape 58 has been used tohold the front panel 42 securely to the foam core 46 while the adhesivesets. The various openings in the front panel 42 may be cut prior toattachment to the foam core 46. After the front panel 42 is aligned withand affixed to the foam core 46, channels may be cut into the resilientfoam material. In this embodiment, circular channels 60 and 62 have beencut into the foam core 46 and aligned with openings 48 and 54,respectively. Mounting holes may be cut or drilled through the backpanel at the back wall of one or more of the channels. Once theadhesives have cured, all of the channels corresponding to the openingshave been cut, and the mounting holes have been added, the organizer 40is complete. Optionally, the organizer may be painted, further molded orfinished using other methods known in the art. Different sizedreceptacles allow an operator to store many different types of cosmeticor other products in a manner that is both secure and readilyaccessible.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6 also receptacles having parallel innersidewalls. It may be desirable for the sidewalls of the receptacles tobe curved, tapered, angled or ripped. For example, if a relatively rigidcore material is used, it may be preferable to form receptacles havingribs rather than a smooth surface.

The embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-7 utilize a core material comprising afoam. Foams suitable for use in accordance with the principles of theinvention for providing a friction fit with items stored include but arenot limited to ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, also referred to aspolyethylene-vinyl acetate (PEVA), low-density polyethylene (LDPE),expanded polypropylene (EPP), expanded polystyrene (EPS), andpolyurethane (PU) foam.

In addition, it may be desirable to utilize integral skin foams.Integral skin foams, also known as self-skin foam, is a type of foamwith a high-density skin and a low-density core. It can be formed in anopen-mold process or a closed-mold process. In the open-mold process,two reactive components are mixed and poured into an open mold. The moldis then closed and the mixture is allowed to expand and cure. Examplesof items produced using this process include arm rests, baby seats, shoesoles, and mattresses. The closed-mold process, more commonly known asreaction injection molding (RIM), injects the mixed components into aclosed mold under high pressures. Foams may be formed such that theintegral skin forms along the inside walls of the organizersreceptacles. This may prevent dirt and particulates from accumulatingwithin the receptacles and damaging, disfiguring or otherwise renderingundesirable the inside walls of the receptacles. Other materials besidesfoam may be utilized. Any material suitable for forming a friction fitwith items placed within the receptacles may be used.

FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of a mountable organizer 70 inaccordance with principles of the invention. Organizer 70 includes acore material 72 affixed to a back panel 74. In this embodiment, thecore material 72 is an integral skin foam having a compressible core 76surrounded by a tear resistance and water resistant skin 78. The corematerial 72 may be affixed to the back panel 74 using adhesives or mayoptionally be molded in place so that the core material 72 cures whilein direct contact with the back panel 74. The curing process itselfcreates a bond between the back panel 74 and the core material 72.Because the core material 72 is an integral skin foam forming a skin 78,the mountable organizer 70 does not include a front panel. The integralskin 78 itself forms the front surface 80 of the organizer 70, as wellas that sidewalls 82.

The integral skin 78 also forms the inner sidewalls 90 of thereceptacles 84 which extend from an opening 88 to a backwall 86 formedby the back panel 74. On the rear 92 of the organizer 70 is a Velcro®pad 94 complementary to a Velcro® pad 96 affixed to a ceiling 98. Byutilizing a hook and loop complementary attachment system, the organizer70 may be readily affixed to and removed from the ceiling 98 or othersurface.

FIG. 9 shows another alternative embodiment of an organizer 100 inaccordance with principles of the invention. The organizer 100 isdefined by a front panel 102, a back panel 104 and side panels 106. Inthis embodiment, the core material is an inflatable bladder 108configured to fit within the organizer 102 and forms a plurality ofreceptacles 112 aligned with openings 114 and the front panel 102 andhaving back walls 116 formed by the back panel 104. A pump 120 islocated on the front panel 102 and includes a button 122 that whendepressed pumps additional air into the bladder 108. A relief valve 124located on a side panel 106 may be actuated by pulling a button 126 torelease air from within the bladder 108. By actuating the pump 120 andthe relief valve 124, an operator may adjust the air pressure within thebladder. As air pressure is increased, the inner walls 128 of thereceptacles 112 bow inward, both decreasing the size of the receptacles112 and increasing the strength of a friction fit with any objectsplaced within the receptacles 112. When air pressure is decreased byactuating the relief valve 124, the receptacles 112 white in and theamounts of friction applied to an object within the receptacledecreases. This allows a user to adjust the size of the receptacles andthe amount of friction applied to objects within them in order toaccommodate objects of different size or weight.

FIG. 10 shows another alternative embodiment of an organizer 140 inaccordance with principles of the invention. In this embodiment, thecore material is an integral skin foam 142 extending between sidewalls144 and a back panel 146. The front surface 148 and inner walls of thereceptacles 150 are formed by the integral skin 152 surrounding the foamcore 154. A magnetic pad 156 extends across the back panel 146. Acomplimentary magnetic pad 158, or optionally a pad of ferromagneticmaterial, is affixed to a wall 150. This allows for rapid attachment anddetachment of the organizer 140 from the wall 150.

FIG. 11 shows another alternative embodiment of an organizer 161 inaccordance with the principles of the invention. In this embodiment, afoam core 162 is positioned between a front panel 164, a back panel 166and side panels 168. In this embodiment, a sliding front cover 170 liesflush against the front panel 164 and is capable of sliding across thefront panel 164. A ratcheting mechanism 172 allows the position of thecover 170 to be locked in place. The foam core 162 provides a frictionalengagement that holds items 174 in place with in a receptacles 176.However, when the organizer 160 is being transported over long distancesor is exposed particularly rough handling, items 174 may become loose.Thus it may be desirable to provide a mechanism for locking items 174firmly in place to ensure that they do not move at all. The slidingcover 170 may be slid such that it abuts against items 174 to moresecurely retain them within the receptacles 176.

FIG. 12 is another alternative embodiment of an organizer 180 inaccordance with principles of the invention. In this embodiment, a foamcore 182 is contained between side panels 184 and a back panel 186. Thefoam core 182 includes one or more receptacles 188 which retain items190 within them by friction fit engagement. The organizer 180 is affixedto a flat surface 183 such as a wall or ceiling. A removable cover 194extends over the front of the organizer 180 and may be locked in place,preventing access to the items 190 in the organizer. In this embodiment,the cover 194 includes a peripheral cuff 196 which lies flush againstthe side panels 184. The cover 194 includes an internal pad 195 toprevent damage to the items 190. The peripheral cuff 196 is configuredto engage with the side panels 184 by means of one or more latches 200.The latches 200 may be used to lock the cover 194 in place over theorganizer 180. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there maybe situations in which it is desirable to limit access to the items 190retained within the organizer 180. For example, bathrooms and/ordressing rooms backstage of theaters are generally accessible to a largenumber of persons. A makeup artist or thespian may use the organizer 182store several cosmetic items which may be expensive, hard to come by, orheld in high value by their owners. Rather than removing the organizer180 from an easily accessed room, the operator of the organizer 180 mayinstead lock the organizer closed using the cover 194 to prevent othersfrom accessing the items contained within. Similarly, siblings may alsodesire to restrict access to certain cosmetic items to prevent access tothem by small children or others sharing living space.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are a wide varietyof alternative methods for forming a channel within an organizer thatsecures devices by means of a friction fit. For example, spring biasedinterior walls may be used. Similarly, a rubber or other elastomericmaterial having high static friction may be used to line interiorchannels. Pliable bands or other devices may also be used to securevarious items using a friction fit, as is often found with racks forhanging rooms, mops and the like on a wall. All of these prior artdesigns are time and labor intensive compared to the present design.

Whereas, the present invention has been described in relation to thedrawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and furthermodifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be madewithin the spirit and scope of this invention. Descriptions of theembodiments shown in the drawings should not be construed as limiting ordefining the ordinary and plain meanings of the terms of the claimsunless such is explicitly indicated. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, mayreadily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures,methods and systems for practicing the present invention. It isimportant, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including suchequivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spiritand scope of the present invention.

1. A cosmetics organizer comprising: a planar back panel; a front panel:a core between the back panel and the front panel comprised of aresilient foam material; at least one receptacle defined by an openingin the front panel aligned with a channel in the core extending from theopening in the front panel toward the back panel; wherein the channelhas a smaller cross-sectional area than a cross-sectional area of theopening such that a device having a cross-sectional area larger than thecross-sectional area of the channel will form a friction fit with aninterior wall of the channel.
 2. The cosmetic organizer of claim 1wherein the channel in the core extends from the front panel to abackwall defined by the back panel.
 3. The cosmetic organizer of claim 2wherein the front panel is curved.
 4. The cosmetic organizer of claim 2wherein the front panel is planar.
 5. The cosmetic organizer of claim 2wherein at least one backwall includes a mounting hole extending throughthe back panel.
 6. The cosmetic organizer of claim 5 wherein theorganizer is mounted on a wall.
 7. The cosmetic organizer of claim 5wherein the organizer is mounted on a ceiling.
 8. The cosmetic organizerof claim 5 wherein the organizer is affixed to a portable object.
 9. Thecosmetic organizer of claim 5 further comprising a peripheral wallextending from the front panel to the back panel around a periphery ofthe organizer.
 10. The cosmetic organizer of claim 5 wherein theorganizer has a cross-sectional shape of a heart.